Combination pressing machine



Dec. 1.2, 1933. E. A. WlNNEwlssER 1,938,883

COMBINATION PRESSING MACHINE l N VEN TOR, 5M/ MMM/0555K A TTORNEYS.

De 12, 1933 E. A. wlNNEwlssER 1,938,883

COMBINATION PRESSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i311 .Ill lf Y El 200 152 gwn N VENTOR. L5M/Z M/'v/vEh//Ssm B Y Patented Dec. 12, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION PREssING MACHINE Application February 18, 1931. Serial No. 516,752

8 Claims.

. This invention relates to pressing machines and particularly to pressing machines of the convertible type in which the pressing elements are formed with pressing faces of different character on opposite sides thereof and are mounted for rotary movement to bring the desired pressing face into operative position.

It is well known that in the pressing of garments pressing faces of different character are necessary to efficiently perform the pressing of different garments. It is common practice in establishments engaged in the pressing of garments to employ a number of pressing machines each of which has pressing faces adapted for a particular class of work. The disadvantage of having a separate machine for each class of work is the large amount of `space required by a number of pressing machines and the large investment necessary to equip a plant with a pressing machine for each type of work to be performed.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a single pressing machine which is equipped with a pluralityy of pressingfaces which are of different character and each of which is adapted to efficiently' perform a particular class of work. A further object of the invention is to provide a buck having pressing faces of different character formed on differentsides thereof, and a head having pressing faces complementary to the pressing faces of the buck; and to provide power means by which the head and buck may be quickly shifted to bring complementary faces into position for cooperative pressing action. A further object is to provide control means by which the head and buck may be shifted simultaneously to effect a saving in time and to insure against pressing faces which are not complementary being brought into pressing contact.

A further object of the invention is to provide 40 a cuff and neck band pressing machine in which each of the pressing elements is formed with a pressing face for a neck band on one side thereof and with pressing faces for a pair of cuffs on the other side thereof and to provide means forY characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pressing machine to which the invention is applied.

Figure 2 is a sectional View along the line 2-2 60 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a schematic view, mostly in section, showing the control means and operating motors for shifting the pressing elements and for closing the press.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of one locking means shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a section along the line 5 5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a detailed View of a portion of the mechanism shown in Figure 2.

A pressing machine in which the head is formed with pressing faces of different character on opposite sides thereof is shown in' my Patent 1,852,496, dated April 5, 1932, for Reversible pressing element for pressing machines. In that application the pressing faces of the movable pressing element must necessarily be of the same, contour since both operate against the saine buck. The object of the present invention is to improve the pressing machine shown in my copending application, to render it more flexible, and to supply novel power means for shifting from one pressing face to the other. The present invention is shown as applied to a cuff and neck band press but is obviously adaptable to other combinations.

A pressing head 11 is rotatably mounted on a yoke l2 which is pivotally supported at 13 by a pressing machine frame 14. A buck 16 is rotatably mounted in supporting standards 17 which are mounted on the pressing machine frame 14. The yoke 12 is movable about its pivotal connection 13 to move the pressing head 11 into and out of contact with the buck 16 to close and Open the press.

Power means are supplied to operate the yoke 12 to close and open the press and these power means include a fluid motor 20 having a piston rod 2l which is pivotally connected at 22 to a link member 23. The link 23 is pivotally connected at, 25 with a lower link 26 which is pivotally mounted at 27 on a member 28 which is pivotally connected at 29 with the pressing machine frame 14, The lower link 26 is pivotally connected at 31 with an upper link 32 which is pivotally connected at 33 with the yoke 12. The lower link 26 and upper link 32 form a toggle and the link 23 operates to move the toggle into straightened position to close the press. The motion of the link 23 is guided by a cam follower which is atthe pre tached to the link28 and operates in a cam slot 35. A spring 36 is connected at one end to the link 23 and at the other end to the pressing machine frame 14 and acts to return the link 23, and connected parts, to normal position when pressure in the fluid motor is reduced. Countersprings 38 are connected at one end with'the yoke 12 and at their other end with thepressing machine frame 14 and these springs normally hold the press in open position, and return it to open position when the pressure in the fluid motor 20 is reduced. The operating mechanism above described is of a well known type and forms no part of the present invention. Y

The pressing head 11 is formed with a pressing face 40 on one side thereof which is of suitable form for pressing collars or neck bands of shirts. A pair of Vpressing faces 42 are formed on the other side of the pressing head 11 and are of vsuitable forni for pressing shirt cuffs. Shafts'44 and I 46 are rigidly secured to the opposite ends ofthe pressing head 11 by suitable rneans such as screw threads l4'?, A' motor housing 481s connected with the yoke l2 and the shaft 46 extends through the motor housing48 and is rotatably mounted in bearings 59 formed in said motor housing. Suitable packing is provided at `the bearings to prevent escape of working fluid from the interior of the motor housing 48. The motor construction will be described in more detailv hereinafter.

The buck 16 is formed with Va pressingV face 52 on one side thereof which is o fsuitable formfor pressing the collar or neck band of ashirt and which is comp1ementas.h o the pressing face 40 of head 11. Pressing faces 54 are formed on the other side of the buck 16 and rare complementary to the faces 42 of the pressing head 11. Shafts 56 and 53 are rigidly secured to the opposite ends of the buck 16, by suitable means such as screw threads 60. The shaft 56 is mounte'd'in a bearing 62 formed on one of the standards 17. A'motor housing 64 is formedl on the upper end of the other standard 17 and the shaft 58 is mounted in bearings 66 formed in the sides of the'motor housing 64. Suitable packing Vis provided around the shaft 58 to preventthe escape of working fluid from' the interior of the motor housing 64.

Both the pressing head 11 and buck 16 are provided with pipes 68 through which fluid is sup-V pressing elements is shown in Figure 3. The shaft 58 has a vane T0 rigidly secured thereto as byV a key '72. The vane 70 extends the entire width of the interior of the motor housing 64, The motor operating the shaft 46 is identicalinV construc-` tion with the motor just described for rotating the shaft 58. p f

`Working fluid is supplied to the1 motor housings 48 and 64 by means of a control handle 80 which is pivotally mountedat 81 on the pressing machine frame. The control handle 80 operates the valves in the valve casings 88 and 84. y Each of the valve casings 83 and 84 contains a normally closed intake valve 85 and a normally open exhaust valve 86 which are connected together by a spacer rod 87 so that they operate as a unit. A spring 88 holds the valves 85 and 86 in normal position. Each exhaust valve 86 is provided With a valve stem' 90 which is pivotally connected at 91 with a link 92. The link 92 is formed with a member 94 which is slidably mounted in a member 96 and a spring 98, contained in the member 94, disposed between the members 94 and 96 normally urges them apart and provides a resilient connection between the control handle 80 and the Valve stem 91 so that the control handle 80 may be moved to the end of its travel even though the exhaust valve 86 may seat before the control handle 80 reaches the end of its travel. The sliding members 94 and 96 also provide a lost motion connection between the control handle 80 and each valve stern 90when the control handle 80 is operated to actuate the valves, in the other valve casing.

Working fluid is supplied to the valve casings 83 and 84 from a fluid supply line 100 Which is connected by a pipe 102 with the pipes 104 and 106 which are directly connected to the valve casings 83 and 84, respectively. The valve casing 83 is connected by a pipe 108 with the branch pipes 110 and 112 which supply Working fluid to one side of the motor housings 48 and 64,. respectively. The valve casing 84 is connected by a pipe 114 with the branch pipes 116 and 118 which supply working fluid to the other sides of the motor housings48 and 64, respectively. With the parts in the positions shown in Figure 3 the valves in the valve casing 83 are in operated position which permits working fluid from the fluid supply line 100 to flow through the pipes 102 and 194, around the open intake valve 85, through the valve casing 83, pipe 108, and branch pipes 110 and 112 to theY motor housings 48 and 64, respectively. When wcrking'fluid is supplied to the motor housings 48 and 64 through the branch pipes 110 and 112 the pressure of this working fluid on the right side of each of the vanes will cause the vanes 70 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction Vand turn 'the shafts 58 and 46 through 180 to bring the opposite faces of the pressing elements into position for cooperative pressing action. When the Vanes 70 move in a counterclockwise direction, as just described, the working fluid on the left side of the vanes will exhaust through the branch pipes 116 and 118, pipe 114, valve casing 84, and past the open exhaust valve 86. When the operator wishes to bring the other pressing faces of the pressing elements 12 and 16 into position for cooperative pressing action, he will move the control handle 86 into the dotted line position shown in Figure 3. This movement of the control handle will open the intake valve the valve casing 84 and Willclose the exhaust valve 86 in the valve easing 84. At the same time the pressure against the valves in the valve casing83 will Vbe relieved and the spring 88 will return these valves in the valve casing 83 to normal position with the intake valve 85 closed and the exhaust valve 86 open. Working fluid from the rfluid supply line 100 may then flow through theypipes 102 and 106, around the open intake Valve 85, through the valve casing 84, pipe 114,

andbraneh pipes 116 and 118, to the motor housings 48 and 64, respectively. When working fluid is supplied through the branch pipes 116 and 118 the pressure will move the vanes 70 in a clockwise direction to rotate the shafts' 46 and 58 through 180" t'o bring the opposite faces of the pressing elements into position for cooperative pressing action. When the vanes are rotating in a clockwise direction working fluid in the motor housings 48 and 64, in front of the vanes 70, will exhaust through the branch pipes 110 and 112 respectively, pipe 108, valve casing 83 and past the open exhaust valve 86.

Itl is desirable that the control handle be locked against operation when the press is closed or in substantially closed position.

with the rotation of one another and pressure operated means are provided for locking the control handle 80 against operation when the press is in such position. These locking means include a diaphragm chamber 120v which contains a diaphragm 122. A plunger 124 extends through one end ofthe diaphragm chamber 120 and is operatedv by pressure applied behindv the dia-v phragm 122.V The plunger 124 when so operated projects out into the path of the control hand1e80 and prevents movement of the control handle 80. Aspring 125 normally holds the plunger 124 in retracted position out of the path of the control handle 80. Y

A pipe 144 connects the diaphragm chamber 122 with the pipe leading fromrthe cylinder 13'0 to the valve casing 178. When working fluid is supplied to the cylinder 130 of the motor 20, in a manner later to be described, working fluid Will flow through the pipe 144, to the diaphragm chamber 120 to operate the diaphragm 122 and move the plunger 124 into the path of the control handle 80 to lock the control handle 80 against operation, When the pressure in the fluid motor 20 is reduced, to permit the press to open, working fluid will escape from the diaphragm chamber 120 through the same conduits by which it was supplied and the spring 125 will move the plunger 124 into retracted position out of the path of the control handle 80.

The fluid motor 20 includes a cylinder 130 which contains a piston 132 rigidly secured to the connecting rod 21'. A port opening 134 is formed in the wall of the cylinder 130 at a point near one end thereof so that the piston 132 will uncover the port opening 134 at the timeY that the press reaches substantially closed position. The port opening 134 communicates with a chamber 136 which connects with a pipe 138. The upper end of the pipe 138 is connected with pipes 140 and 142, the purpose of which will be explained later.

The motor 20 is operated to open and close the `press by conventional two-hand control means. These means include push buttons 150 and 152. The push button 150 transmits motionV through, a bell crank 154 to a rocker,` arm 158 which operates the valves in `a valve casing 158. The valve casing 158 is of conventional design and contains a normally closed intake valve 160 and a normally open exhaust valve 162 which are connected together by a spacer rod 164 so that they operate as a unit. A spring' 165 holds the valves in normal position and the exhaust valve 162 is provided with a valve stem 166 against which the rocker arm 156 contacts to operate the valves.

The push button 152 transmits motion through a bell crank 174 to a rocker arm 176 which operates the valve in a valve casing 178. The valve casing 178 contains an exhaust valve 180 which is provided with a valve stem 182 against which the rocker arm 176 contacts to move the exhaust AtA such time the pressing elements will interfere valve 180 into closed position. `Diaphragm chambers v186 are connected t'o each of the valve' casings 158 and 178. These diaphragm charnbers 186 eachcontain a diaphragm `188 which operates a plunger 190 to lock the rocker arms ton 132 -uncovers the port opening 134. Means are provided to reduce the pressure in the dia-A phragmchambers 186 in order to unlock the valves in the valve casings 158 and 178. These means are of conventional construction and include a pipe 192V which connects with the pipe 140 and leads to an exhaust valve casing^194 which contains an exhaust valve 196', normally held in closedposition by a spring 198, butoperable into open position by a handle 200. The two hand control mechanism above described, is of conventional construction and forms no part of the present invention, butis Yshown in order to illustrate the interconnection between the press operating motor and control means,

and the motors and control meansfor rotating" ball 204 is pressed by a spring 206 when the rel cess 202 moves into position adjacent the ball 204. Two such recesses are provided in the shaft 56 and one of said recesses will move into position adjacent the ball 204 when either of the pressing faces of the buck 16 are in proper position for cooperative pressing action with the head 11. This locking means is similar to that shown in my.Patent 1,852,496, and forms no part of the present invention.

From the foregoing description it rwill be ap. parent that I have provided a novel convertible pressing machine in whichboth the head and the buck are provided with pressing faces of different character on opposite sides thereof, and in which power means are provided for quickly moving the pressing elements; simultaneously to bring different pressing faces into position for cooperative pressing action. `The invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiment as applied to a cuff Aand neck band press but various changes and modifications may be made With-v out departing vfrom the 'spirit of the invention as set forth in' the appended claims. l

WhatIclaimis: w

l. In a pressing machinein combination cooperative pressing elements,`one of which isprovided with pressing faces'of diifer'ent character on differentsides thereof, a mounting therefor, said pressing element being 'pivotally connected to said mounting'and movable about its pivotal connection to Vbring different faces there` pressing relationfand motor means carried by and self .contained with said mounting' for moving vthe pressing element about its pivotal connection to bring either of the pressing faces into positionfor cooperative pressing action with the other pressing element, said pivotal connection including a bearing in the mounting and an axle on said pressing element in the bearing, said motor means being carried on the mounting and including a rotor on said axle.

3. In av pressing machine,in combination cooperative pressing Velements, one of which is movable with respect tothe other to open and close the press, pressing faces of different character formedon upper and lower surfacesof the movable element, pressing faces formed on upperV and lower surfaces of the other pressing element and adapted for cooperative pressing action with the respective surfacesof the movable pressing elementbia movable mounting for the movable elment, affixed mounting for the other element, motors carried by said mountings respectively and operable when energized to shf the respective pressing elements, and means foicontrolling the flow of motive power to the motors respectively. l

4. In al pressing operative pressing elements, one of which is movable with respect; to the other to open and `close the press, pressing faces of different character formed on upper and lower surfaces of the movable element, pressing faces formed on upper and lower surfaces of the other ,pressing element and adapted for cooperative pressing action with the respective surfaces of the movable pressing element, a `movable mounting for the movable element, a fixed mounting for the other element, motors carried by said mountings respectively and operable when energized to shift the respective pressing elements, and vmeans for controlling the flow of motive power to the motors respectively, said means having an operating member in common. f

5. In a pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements yone of which is movable-with respect to the other to open and closeV the press; pressing faces of different character formed on theupper and lower surfaces ofthe movable pressing'element; complementary pressing faces formed'on the upper and lower surfaces of the other pressing element; means for operating the kmovable pressing element to open and` close ,the press including a'fluid operated motor,

and mountingtmeans for the movable pressing.

element; mounting means for the other pressing element; means for rotating the movable pressing element on its mounting means` including a motor carriedby said mounting means and mov-l able therewith; means` for rotating the other pressing element on its mounting to bring the complementary;l faces' of the pressing elements into position for cooperative pressing action.

6; In a pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements one of which is mov- -able with respect tothe other to openA and close the press; a pressing face formed on one side of machine, in combination cocluding a shaft secured to the pressing elementV and passing through supporting bearings; .a

motor connected to one end of each shaft forv rotating said shaft to bring the complementary faces vof theV pressing elements into operative position, each motor including a Vane member and a semi-cylindrical housing in which the vane member operates, one of said members of each motor being secured to one end of each shaft, and the other secured to the mounting means.

7. In apressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements one of which is movable with respectvto the other to open and close the press; a pressing face formed on one side of the movable pressing element and a pressing face of different character formed on another'side of the movable pressing element; pressing faces formed on sides of the other pressing element and complementary to the yrespective pressing faces of the movable pressing element; means mount'- ving said pressing elements for movement to bring the complementary-,faces into operative position; fluid operated motor means for operating the pressing elements tomove them with respect to the mounting means to shift both pressing elements and bring other complementary faces into operative position; operator operated means forv controlling the supply of Working fiuid to the motor means; andkmeans to lock the-operator operated control means against operation when thepressing elements are inv pressing contact.y f

8. `In a pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements one of which is movable with respect to the other to open and close the. press; a pressing face formed on one side of the movable pressingelement and a pressing face of different'character formed on another side of the movable pressing element; pressing faces formed 'on sides of the other pressing element and complementary to the respective pressingl faces of' the movable vpressing element; mountings for said pressing elements each of said pressing elements being supported inrits mounting to shift about an axis to bring the different faces into operative position; fluid operated motor means for operating the pressing elements to rotate them with respect to the mounting means to shift both pressing elements andvbring the other complementary lfacesinto operative position; operator operated means for control.

ling the supply of Vworking fluid tothe motor means; other operator-operated means to control the closing of the press; and means con-Y trolled by said other operator-operated means, when operated to control the closing of the press, for locking the first mentioned operator-operated means against operation. v

A EMIL A; WINNEWISSER.

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